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About NUI Galway

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Research Interests

One of my main areas of research has been in applying computational micromechanics techniques, including finite element methods, to understand and predict the mechanical behaviour of materials during processing and in-service conditions, for example new generation advanced materials such as metal matrix composites, structurally graded tungsten carbide, nickel based superalloys and surface coated steels and alloys. I have become increasingly interested in physical and mechanical testing of materials and I have developed significant expertise in this area. Under my direction, the micromechanics research area has flourished at the University and I have attracted significant research funding, primarily from the EU in terms of Brite Euram projects and from Enterprise Ireland. To give focus to my research activities, in 1997, I established the Micromechanics Reseach Unit (MICRU) as part of the Manufacturing Research Centre (MRC) at the University. This has helped give my research activities a higher profile and has assisted me in attracting external funding. To complement the micromechanics activity, I have also developed significant research activities in the broader area of computational mechanics and the use of finite elements in engineering analysis and design. Funding for this work has primarily come from local and national industries. As a result of my achievements in MICRU, I began some years ago to develop a research activity linked with the local cardiovascular medical device industry, focused on applying computational modelling and experimental testing techniques to the analysis and design of minimal invasive surgical devices. Based on these initial efforts, I was successful in obtaining significant levels of funding, from industrial and national sources, for cardiovascular medical device research. I quickly developed a keen interest in the broader Biomedical Engineering Science (BMES) area and saw great scope for application of my advanced modelling and analysis skills, in particular in terms of helping to understand the physical behaviour of biological materials, i.e., tissue and cells. I have been intimately involved in the development of the overall BMES research activity at the University over the last few years. I was part of the teams responsible for a successful 1998 HEA BMES proposal, the successful 1999 HEA PRTLI-1 proposal and the successful 2001 HEA PRTLI3 proposal. As part of PRTLI3 I was invited to join with Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as a partner in a major project in orthopaedic biomechanics, which was also successful. I was appointed a Research Director at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) at its inception in 1999. As a natural evolution of my research activities, based on my background in micromechanics and my explorations in the area of biomedical engineering science, my research interests are currently focused on the following themes: Cardiovascular medical devices, Cardiovascular tissue mechanics, Orthopaedic biomechanics.

'Computational examination of the effect of material inhomogeneity on the necking of Stent struts under tensile loading'
McGarry, JP,O'Donnell, BP,McHugh, PE,O'Cearbhaill, E,McMeeking, RM (2007) 'Computational examination of the effect of material inhomogeneity on the necking of Stent struts under tensile loading'. Journal Of Applied Mechanics-Transactions Of The Asme, 74 :978-989 [DOI] [Details]

'Characterisation of a collagen membrane for its potential use in cardiovascular tissue engineering applications'
O'Cearbhaill, ED,Barron, V,McGugh, PE (2006) 'Characterisation of a collagen membrane for its potential use in cardiovascular tissue engineering applications'. Journal Of Materials Science-Materials In Medicine, 17 :195-201 [DOI] [Details]

'Determination of elastic and plastic material properties using indentation: Development of method and application to a thin surface coating'
Farrissey, LM,McHugh, PE (2005) 'Determination of elastic and plastic material properties using indentation: Development of method and application to a thin surface coating'. Materials Science And Engineering A-Structural Materials Properties Microstructure And Processing, 399 :254-266 [DOI] [Details]

(2005)

'Micromechanical modeling of the static loading of an Al359-SiC MMC'
Bruzzi, M,McHugh, PE (2005) 'Micromechanical modeling of the static loading of an Al359-SiC MMC'. Journal Of Engineering Materials And Technology-Transactions Of The Asme, 127 :106-118 [DOI] [Details]

(2005)

'Effect of osteoporosis on the biomechanics of the thoracolumbar spine: Finite Element Study'
Tyndyk, M.A., Barron, V., McHugh, P.E. (2005) 'Effect of osteoporosis on the biomechanics of the thoracolumbar spine: Finite Element Study'. EUROPEAN CELLS AND MATERIALS, 10 (3) [Details]

'Predicting the effects of overloads on fatigue crack growth in an Al-SiC MMC using a computational model'
Bruzzi, MS,McHugh, PE (2004) 'Predicting the effects of overloads on fatigue crack growth in an Al-SiC MMC using a computational model'. Journal Of Engineering Materials And Technology-Transactions Of The Asme, 126 :172-178 [DOI] [Details]

Proceedings of the 25th European conference on Biomaterials, Madrid, Spain
Shirazi, R.N., Rochev, Y. and McHugh, P.E. (2013) Physical and mechanical properties of biodegradable PLGA film for medical devices Proceedings of the 25th European conference on Biomaterials, Madrid, Spain [Details]

(2014)

Proceedings of the 26th European Conference on Biomaterials, Liverpool
Shirazi, R.N., Rochev, Y. and McHugh, P.E. (2014) Degradation and Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable PLGA Film Proceedings of the 26th European Conference on Biomaterials, Liverpool [Details]

Computational and experimental investigation into the delamination of biomedical stents coatings. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Fracture and Damage Mechanics.
Hopkins, C., McHugh, P.E. and McGarry, P. (2009) Computational and experimental investigation into the delamination of biomedical stents coatings. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Fracture and Damage Mechanics. St. Georges Bay, Malta: Conference Paper [Details]

Computational modelling of the mechanical performance of cardiovascular stents during deployment using a linked micro and macroscale approach. Proceedings of the International Forum on Material Behaviour Across the Lengthscales.
Harewood, F., McHugh, P.E. (2008) Computational modelling of the mechanical performance of cardiovascular stents during deployment using a linked micro and macroscale approach. Proceedings of the International Forum on Material Behaviour Across the Lengthscales. Wadham College, Oxford, UK: Conference Paper [Details]

Development of a finite element model of an intervertebral disc to assess a new nucleus replacement device. Development of a finite element model of an intervertebral disc to assess a new nucleus replacement device.
Kavanagh, S., McGarry, J.P., McNamara, S.F., McHugh, P.E., Hutton, W.C. (2007) Development of a finite element model of an intervertebral disc to assess a new nucleus replacement device. Development of a finite element model of an intervertebral disc to assess a new nucleus replacement device. Conference Paper [Details]

Towards the understanding of the transfer of load from an artificial scaffold to cells seeded in-vitro.
Stops, A. J. F., McMahon, L. A., Prendergast, P. J. and McHugh P. E. (2007) Towards the understanding of the transfer of load from an artificial scaffold to cells seeded in-vitro. Conference Paper [Details]

(2006)

The use of rapid prototype models for investigation of failure mechanisms in trabecular bone.
Mc Donnell, P. et al. (2006) The use of rapid prototype models for investigation of failure mechanisms in trabecular bone. Conference Paper [Details]

The Nature of Plastic Flow in Bone. Poster Presented at the 52ND Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society.
Mullins, L., Bruzzi, M.S., McHugh P.E. (2006) The Nature of Plastic Flow in Bone. Poster Presented at the 52ND Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society. Conference Paper [Details]

The effect of various bone conditions on the biomechanics of the thoracolumbar spine-finite element study.
Tyndyk, M. A., Barron, V. and McHugh, P. E. (2006) The effect of various bone conditions on the biomechanics of the thoracolumbar spine-finite element study. Conference Paper [Details]

Development of a microstructural computational cell model. Development of a microstructural computational cell model.
Coghlan, K.M., McHugh, P.E. (2005) Development of a microstructural computational cell model. Development of a microstructural computational cell model. Conference Paper [Details]

Computational analysis of the mechanical behaviour of coated cardiovascular stents . Proceedings of Plasticity’05; The International Symposium on Plasticity and its Current Applications.
McGarry, J.P., McHugh, P.E. (2005) Computational analysis of the mechanical behaviour of coated cardiovascular stents . Proceedings of Plasticity’05; The International Symposium on Plasticity and its Current Applications. Kauai, USA: Conference Paper [Details]

Development of a continuum mechanics model to predict cell motility. Development of a continuum mechanics model to predict cell motility.
Flaherty, B., Murphy, B.P., McHugh, P E. (2005) Development of a continuum mechanics model to predict cell motility. Development of a continuum mechanics model to predict cell motility. Conference Paper [Details]

(2005)

The development of a unique bioreactor to simultaneously apply pulsatile and reversible shear and tensile forces to a monolayer of endothelial cells.
Breen, L.T., Murphy, B.P., McHugh, P.E. (2005) The development of a unique bioreactor to simultaneously apply pulsatile and reversible shear and tensile forces to a monolayer of endothelial cells. Conference Paper [Details]

Representing the effects of size scale on mechanical performance of metals using a non-localised constitutive law: theory and application.
Ilie, D., McHugh, P.E. (2004) Representing the effects of size scale on mechanical performance of metals using a non-localised constitutive law: theory and application. Conference Paper [Details]

(2004)

Development of a cohesive zone model to simulate cellular attachment to its local environment. Development of a cohesive zone model to simulate cellular attachment to its local environment.
McGarry, J.P., Murphy, B.P., McHugh, P.E. (2004) Development of a cohesive zone model to simulate cellular attachment to its local environment. Development of a cohesive zone model to simulate cellular attachment to its local environment. Conference Paper [Details]

(2004)

The design of a test fixture to investigate the effects of tensile and simultaneous shear forces on endothelial cells.
Breen, L.T., McHugh, P.E., Muir, G., McCormack, B.A.O., Murphy, B.P. (2004) The design of a test fixture to investigate the effects of tensile and simultaneous shear forces on endothelial cells. Conference Paper [Details]

Is there a modulus mismatch between the two components of PMMA bone cement.
Murphy, B.P., Breen, A., McHugh, P.E. (2004) Is there a modulus mismatch between the two components of PMMA bone cement. Conference Paper [Details]

Influence of the dimensions on the mechanical behaviour of stents.
Gachon, C., Delassus, P., McHugh, P.E. (2003) Influence of the dimensions on the mechanical behaviour of stents. Conference Paper [Details]

Influence of the manufacturing path on the mechanical behaviour of medical devices such as stents.
Gachon, C., Delassus, P., McHugh, P.E. (2002) Influence of the manufacturing path on the mechanical behaviour of medical devices such as stents. Conference Paper [Details]

Experimental techniques for the determination of the mechanical characteristics of an ultra-thin ceramic coating for use on metallic and other materials: preliminary results.
O'Rourke, S.C., McHugh, P.E., Carroll, W.M., Cunningham, D., Rushe, N., Healy, S. (2001) Experimental techniques for the determination of the mechanical characteristics of an ultra-thin ceramic coating for use on metallic and other materials: preliminary results. Conference Paper [Details]

Development of a new ceramic coating technique for the production of tailored coatings on metals and other materials. Development of a new ceramic coating technique for the production of tailored coatings on metals and other materials.
O'Rourke, S., McHugh, P.E., Carroll, W., Cunningham, D. (2000) Development of a new ceramic coating technique for the production of tailored coatings on metals and other materials. Development of a new ceramic coating technique for the production of tailored coatings on metals and other materials. Conference Paper [Details]

(2000)

Development of a biomedical engineering programme to complement industrial expansion in Ireland. Development of a biomedical engineering programme to complement industrial expansion in Ireland.
McNamara, J.F., McHugh, P.E. (2000) Development of a biomedical engineering programme to complement industrial expansion in Ireland. Development of a biomedical engineering programme to complement industrial expansion in Ireland. Conference Paper [Details]

Crystal plasticity theory and its applications to the modelling of microstructural deformation in metals and metal matrix composites.
McHugh, P.E. (1995) Crystal plasticity theory and its applications to the modelling of microstructural deformation in metals and metal matrix composites. Conference Paper [Details]

Invited papers

Year

Publication

(2007)

Development of a Graduate Research Education Programme in Biomedical Engineering.
McHugh, P.E. (2007) Development of a Graduate Research Education Programme in Biomedical Engineering. Invited papers [Details]

Research at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science.
McHugh, P.E. (2002) Research at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science. Invited papers [Details]

(2002)

Biomechanics Research at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science.
McHugh, P.E. (2002) Biomechanics Research at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science. Invited papers [Details]

National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science at NUI, Galway: Centre development and progress in research.
McHugh, P.E. (2001) National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science at NUI, Galway: Centre development and progress in research. Invited papers [Details]